After postponing them three times because of political turmoil, Pakistan gave up Thursday and cancelled the South Asian Federation Games, citing the war in Iraq, AP reported from Islamabad.

Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the 9th Federation Games in October 2001, but reconsidered after the Sept.11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

They were rescheduled for March 2002, but were again postponed because of tensions at the Pakistan-India border.

Pakistan, which frequently is the scene of terrorism, always heightens security when international tensions run high. “We have decided to cancel the 9th edition of the SAF Games because we don’t know when the political situation will improve internationally,” said Syed Wajid Ali Shah, president of the Pakistan Olympic Association.

The decision was approved at a meeting of the South Asian Sports Federations in Rawalpindi, attended only by half of the eight participating countries- a bare quorum. Earlier reports said Sri Lanka could host the cancelled Games. nepalnews.com br April 11